Wire reel



June 23, 1925. 4 w. J. MERRIMAN .wIRE- REEL Filed Dec. 19', 1924 Wfw/w/irmw 3% W/Mwi attor mzq Patented June 23, 1925.

UNITED STATES WALTER J. MERRIMAN,

or LAKE vIEw, 01110.

I WIRE REEL.

Application filed December 19, 1924.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER J. MERRI- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lake View, in the county of Logan and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Wire Reel, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved wire reel of the type used for winding wire thereon or paying out wire therefrom.

It is my object to generally improve upon reels of this class by providing one of comparative simplicity and durability which is practical and such in construction as to render its use highly desirable for the purpose specified.

The primary feature of the invention is a collapsible rim constructed in such a manner as to permit thebundleof rolled wire to be bodily removed or placed in position thereon. V

More specifically, it is a feature to pro vide a rigid spider embodying radiating arms upon which channel shaped sectors are movably mounted in forming a'collapsible rim.

Another important feature of the invention is the novel expanding and contracting means for the rim.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawing.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a wire reel constructed in accordance with the present invention showing the same expanded for use. V

Figure 2 is a view like Figure 1 showing the rim collapsed to permit removal or application of the wire.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail section of the spider hub.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail perspective view of one of the outer ends of aspider arm.

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the segments or sectors of the collapsible rim structure. 7

Referring to the drawings in detail it will be observed that the reference character 1 designates what may be generally referred to as a spider, the same comprising a plurality of clrcumferentially spaced arms 2 ing and the arms forcement .13.

Serial No. 756,930.

from a central hub 3. Although the spider could be constructed otherwise, it is preferably in the form of a single castare in the form of I-beam. The hub at the center rises toa predetermined elevation above the arm as shown better in Figure 3. As plainly shown in Figure 4:, the outer end of each arm is formed with outwardly diverging extensions 4t connected together at their point of juncture by a web 5. r The web in turn is provided with an outstanding'bo'ss 6 which serves in a manner to be later described. It may be conveniently stated here that the outer 'end of the extensions 4 are apertured as at 7 to serve as a novel mounting means for the collapsible rim to be described. I

As before intimated the rim employed in conjunction with the present device is ca pable of being varied in diameter to facilitate application and removal of the wire after it is in a rolled state. In the present instance I prefer to usea plurality of circumferentially spaced arcuate segments 8, each being substantially channeled shaped in cross section. At its ends it is provided with inwardly extendingears 9 and these are pivotally connected to the apertured ends of the aforesaid extensions .4. Connected to the approximate center of each segment is an apertured lug 10. With this arrange ment it is obvious that the sectors or segments 8 may radiating be swung from' the horizontal .plane shown in the drawing to the inclined positions shown in Figure Qfor collapsing the rim for the purpose specified.

For the purpose of expanding and contracting the rim or collapsing it, I provide novel means. In the present instance I prefer to provide a center plate 11 provided on its under side with a plurality of circumferentially spaced V-shaped ribs 12 receivable in correspondingly shaped grooves formed in the upper ends of the aforesaid hub 3. The plate 11 is reinforced at its center as indicated at 13 and is provided with a central bore aligning with a bore formed in the hub 3, there being a bolt 14 passing. through these bores and having its threaded end projecting beyond the rein- A thumb nut 15 is threaded onto the bolt. The reinforcement 13 is provided with diametrically opposite handles 16 by means of which the plate 11 is turned. At its corners, this plate is formed with openings and the inner ends of radiating opposed'slinks' or rods 17 are connected with the plate. The outer ends of the rods are shaped as shown in Figure 1 and pivotally' connected with blocksor their equivalent 18 which are in turn pivotally connected to the aforesaid lugs 10. The blocks 18 are pref erably bifurcated and the furcations strad dle the lugs and are pivotally' connected thereto. I

Directing attention again to Figure 4 it will be seen that a hooked bolt 19 extends through the boss 6 and a thumb nut 20 is screwed .onto the threaded end thereof-1 Here I would'state thatithe device shown and -described is particularly adapted for. connectionto the spokes of a vehicle wheel. so. that therlatter maybe used as a means for rotating the wheel for winding wire or unwinding as the case may be. The boltlt) may be-used forvthe purpose of-connecting the deviceto.thervehiclewheel in. an obvious manner.-w

Assumingthatthe wire has been wound upon thesrim. of theimproved wheel and it is desired .tobodilyremove the roll, the handles-16 are-simplygripped and. moved ina direction.fromiright .to left, carrying the plate 11 around With them. Of course, before the platev 11 can be turned, the thumb nu. t ,15 must-be loosenedwto disengage the ribs -12 from the grooves'in. vhichthey are seated. By thus.tur11in1g. tl1e--plate .11, a radial and circumferential. pull. is? exerted upon the links :17. Inasmuch as these are cormect-ed at. their outer ends to theilugts 1O on the sectors 8,, it is. clear thatthelatter will. be swung upontheir .zpivots from. the plane-shown in Figure 1 .totheincliined positions shown in Figure? The-ends. of the sectors will then be substantially in abut; tingrelation:andethediameter of the rim is decreased to such an I extent as to Y facilitate applioationand removalof wire. If it is desired to maintainthe rimincollapsed state,-ithe thumb nut. 15. can be itightenedund when-the parts-are inithe. .positiongshown in Figure 2, the ribs -12 will have moved through one quarter of all-evolution, thus permitting ,.them.:to be'aseated in theright angularly disposed grooves in the top of the h-ubtl. The'groovcs .in:the-top,of the latter may bensaid to be inv pairs the,pairs extendi-ng, at. right angles :to. eaolr other so thatthe plate. 11 unay be-posi-tively held in the positions show-min.Figures 1.and 2 respectively. I Fromthe foregoing descri-ption.and draw-- ing, it will. be apparent that I .haveevolved and-produced avery novel wire reel structure capable of facilitating application and removalnofyrolledi Wire, the same comprisinga. rigid spider carrying, a collapsible rim composed. of pivotally mounted, channel shapedsectors for effectively confining the strands of Wire and these sectors being si-,

'diate portion of the multaneously swung upoui their: pivots to inclined position for ready application or removal of the wire.

Although I haveshown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described the what I claim is l. ,A Wire reel of'theclass described comprisinga spider ,embodyinga plurality of radiating arms, and a collapsible rim structure supported on the outer ends of the arms, saidrim being composed of a pin}- rality of flanged sectors, and means for opcrating-said. sectors for collapsing the rim, said sectors. being pivotally mounted 011 the outer endsof thearms to swing .in a direction at right angles to the axis ofrotat-ion of said spider.

2. A wire reel of the class described comprising a spider. embodying circumferentially spaced radiatingarms provided-at their outer ends with, diverging extensions, an arcuate sector pivotally supportedbetween pairs ofrthe arms and connected tosaid extensions, each sector being of,'cl1annel shaped cross section, links pivotally connected at their outer ends. to the intermediate .portion of ,thesectors, and means mounted upon the center of the spider for exerting. an inward and circumferential pull upon said links for moving said I sectors upon said pivots.

3.'A ,wire' reel comprising a spider in cluding a central hub and 'a' plurality of circumferentially spaced arms radiating invention,

therefrom, said hub being provided in its outer end witli intersecting grooves, arcuate sectors pivotally mounted betweenpairs of the; aforesaid arms, saicl.:sectors cooperating to form a collapsible rim structure and being mountedto swing in a direction at right angles to the axis of rotation of spider, a plate mounted for rotation upon said hub, said plate being provided with a rib adapted to be selectively seated in the aforesaid grooves, a turning handle carried by said plate, and links pivotal-1y connected at their outer ends to the intermcsector and connected at their innerends to the plate, whereby when the latter is rotated an inward and circumferential pull: will; be exerted upon saidlinks for swinging said sectors upon their pivots.

4. A wirereel of the class described comprising a rotary spider includinga central hub provided at its freeends Wit-hintersecting grooves, and circumferentially spacednarms radiating from said hub, said arms being provided; at their outer ends with. diverging extensions connected togather by intervening Webs, hook-bolts carried by said webs, a rotary plate cooperating with said hub, said plate being provided at its inner face with a rib a to be selectively seated in said groove, said plate being also provided with a turning handle, channel-shaped arcuate sectors arranged between the el tensions at the outer ends of said arms, means pivotally connecting the sectors with the extensions to permit the sectors to swing in a direction at right angles to the axis of rotation o the spider, and links connected at their outer ends to the intermediate portions of sai; sectors and at their inner ends to said plate.

5. A wire reel of the class described comprising a mounting having a sectional rim on its periphery, said sections being mounted in a manner to permit them to be disposed normally in a plane with the mounting, but permitting them to be swung in a direction at right angles to the axis 0 rotation of the mounting.

6. In a device of the class described, a

support, a rim having a segmental porinwardly from tion pivoted and rotatable said portion at its ends to said support, means having connection with intermediate the ends thereof for swinging the same, whereby rotation of said means in one direction operates to swing said portion transversely to and inwardly at right angles from the periphery of: the rim for decreasing the distance between the axis of said support and the periphery of said segmental portion and thereby collapsing the rim.

7. In a device of the class described, a support, a rim having a plurality of segmental sections movably connected at opposite ends thereof to said support, a rotatable member on said support, and means for connecting said member in an intermediate-portion of individual sections whereby rotation of said member conjointly swings said sections at right angles to and the periphery of the rim.

whereof I afii In testimony X my signature.

WALTER J MERRIMAN. 

